THE Game...Ohio State vs. Michigan!

Here is the game preview, some history, and lots and lots of information! My prediction for the game is Ohio State-34 Michigan-7.


Buckeye going for sixth straight win over the Maize and Blue Saturday in Ann Arbor
#9/8 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) at Michigan (5-6, 1-6)
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 - Noon ET
Michigan Stadium (106,201), Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Broadcasts
Television: Saturday’s game will be televised live on ABC with Sean McDonough (P-by-P) and Matt Millen (analyst) in the booth and Holly Rowe on the sidelines.

Radio: WBNS (FM 97.1 The Fan) is the flagship station for the 73-station Ohio State radio network. The Jim Tressel pregame show airs 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Paul Keels will call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 122.

FIRST AND 10

Ohio State has won five Big Ten titles in a row and will be looking to win the 2009 title outright with a win at Michigan Saturday
OSU has accepted a bid to the 2010 Rose Bowl
This is the 106th meeting between the schools in football; Michigan leads the series 57-42-6, though Ohio State has won the last five
Coach Jim Tressel is 92-21 in 9 seasons at Ohio State; 227-78-2 in his 24th season overall
Tressel’s 227 career wins ranks third among active FBS coaches, one ahead of Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer (226).
Ohio State has totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season, tying for the most in the Tressel era
Ohio State’s defense has allowed just 10 touchdowns over its past 39 quarters of play
Ohio State’s all-time Big Ten record now stands at 456-190-28 – the best percentage of any Big Ten school
Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five defensive categories
The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and turnover margin
MICHIGAN AT A GLANCE
The Wolverines are 5-6 (1-6 Big Ten) and are looking for one more win to become bowl eligible. UM started the season 4-0, but have lost 6-of-7 since, including a 45-24 loss at Wisconsin Saturday.

Michigan leads the Big Ten in scoring in all games played with 31.2 ppg. They rank second in rushing with 195.8 ypg, just ahead of Ohio State’s 194.2. Senior running back Brandon Minor is the team’s leading rusher with 502 yards and eight touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier is fourth in the conference in passing efficiency with a 132.85 rating. He has completed 142 of 243 attempts (58.4 percent) with six interceptions and 12 touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Brandon Graham ranks fourth nationally with 1.9 TFL’s per game. The Wolverines give up an average of 28.1 points and 400.2 yards of total offense per game. They also lead the Big Ten and rank second nationally in net punting with 42.1 yards per punt.

Rich Rodriguez is in his second year at Michigan with an overall record of 8-15 and 113-77-2 overall as a head coach.

SERIES RECORD
Michigan leads the all-time series with Ohio State by a 57-42-6 count. *Michigan leads 27-22-2 in games played in Columbus.

Since 1951, the Buckeyes hold a 30-26-2 lead, including victories in seven of the eight games during the Jim Tressel era. Ohio State has won the last five meetings with Michigan.

The two teams first met in 1897 and the rivalry has been continuous since 1918. Since 1935, the game has been the traditional conference finale between the two schools.

IN THE BIG TEN
Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 456-190-28 all-time in Big Ten games, and 259-112-18 in conference home games. The Buckeyes’ all-time conference win percentage of 69.6% is the best of any Big Ten school.

BIG TEN ROAD TRIPS
The loss at Purdue snapped an Ohio State 16-game win streak in Big Ten road games. That’s the longest such string ever by an Ohio State football team. The conference record is 17 games, set by Michigan between 1988-92.

17 - Michigan (Oct. 29, 1988-Nov. 7, 1992)
16 - Ohio State (Oct. 22, 2005-Oct. 3, 2009)
11 - Ohio State (Nov. 16, 1974-Nov. 5, 1977)
10 - Michigan (Oct. 6, 1945-Nov. 6, 1948)

Ohio State is 197-78-10 (.709) all-time in Big Ten road games. By decades on the road in the Big Ten: 7-4 (1913-19); 12-6-1 (1920-29); 17-6-1 (1930-39); 8-9-2 (1940-49); 17-8-1 (1950-59); 24-6 (1960-69); 30-5-1 (1970-79); 26-14-1 (1980-89); 26-11-3 (1990-99); 30-9 (2000-09). Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 27-8 (.771) in Big Ten road games overall.

IN REGULAR SEASON FINALES
In regular season finales, the Buckeyes are 61-54-5 all-time.

IN ROAD FINALES
Ohio State is 66-47-6 all-time in final road games of the regular season. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 6-2 in those games.

THE SENIOR CLASS
At Michigan, the 19-member senior class enters its final regular-season game with a 42-8 record, four Big Ten titles, three wins over Michigan, two trips to the BCS title game and four BCS bowl invitations to its credit since 2006. The most wins by an Ohio State senior class? 43, in 1995-98, 2002-05 and 2005-08.

The 2009 seniors: Andre Amos (Middletown, Ohio); Jake Ballard (Springboro, Ohio); Kurt Coleman (Dayton, Ohio); Jim Cordle (Lancaster, Ohio); Todd Denlinger (Troy, Ohio); Joe Gantz (Wooster, Ohio); Tom Ingham (Centerville, Ohio); Andrew Moses (Dublin, Ohio); Aaron Pettrey (Raceland, Ky.); Dan Potokar (Grove City, Ohio); Rob Rose (Cleveland, Ohio); Anderson Russell (Atlanta, Ga.); Ryan Schuck (Selinsgrove, Pa.); Ray Small (Cleveland, Ohio); Austin Spitler (Bellbrook, Ohio); Jon Thoma (Alliance, Ohio); Marcus Williams (Ironton, Ohio); Lawrence Wilson (Akron, Ohio); and Doug Worthington (Athol Springs, N.Y.).

ROSE BOWL BOUND
With its 27-24 overtime victory against Iowa, Ohio State has already earned a share of the 2009 Big Ten championship. That marks the fifth season in a row that the Buckeyes have earned a Big Ten title, and the 34th Big Ten football title overall for Ohio State. The most consecutive Big Ten titles by Ohio State is six, from 1972-77.

AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Ohio State is 130-104-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 40-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 36-13 overall and 12-6 on the road against ranked teams.

FORCING TURNOVERS
The Buckeyes have forced 28 opponent turnovers through the first 11 games, an average of 2.5 per contest. Ohio State has forced 19 interceptions and recovered nine opponent fumbles; the Buckeyes also scored a defensive two-point PAT on a Brian Rolle pass interception and runback versus Navy.

Anderson Russell came through with two interceptions, one in overtime, in the victory over Iowa. The last time a Buckeye had two interceptions in a game was Kurt Coleman vs. Troy in 2008.

Ross Homan had an interception against New Mexico State, while Brian Rolle recovered an Aggie fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Thaddeus Gibson also recovered a New Mexico State fumble. Homan added another interception at Penn State and a 21-yard pick against Iowa.

The Buckeyes picked off two Minnesota passes, with interceptions by Austin Spitler and Kurt Coleman (for a 40-yard return). The Buckeyes also recovered two Gopher fumbles.

Coleman (89 yards) and Jermale Hines (32 yards) each returned interceptions for touchdowns against Wisconsin. That was the first time since Sept. 23, 2006 vs. Penn State, when Malcolm Jenkins (61) and Antonio Smith (55) each returned picks for TDs, that Ohio State had two interception returns for a score in a single game. Coleman’s return was the fifth longest in Ohio State history.

With two picks by Russell and an interception by Homan in the overtime win against Iowa, it was the second time this season Ohio State recorded three interceptions in a game. Three defenders – Rolle, Lawrence Wilson and Hines – also had interceptions against Illinois. The last time the Buckeyes had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 6, 2008, against Ohio.

Chekwa: INT (Pur)
Coleman: INT (Navy, Wisc/TD, Minn); FF (Navy, Tol, Illi); FR (Pur)
Denlinger: INT (Ind)
Domicone: FR (Minn)
Gibson: FF (Navy, Illi); FR (Minn, NMS)
Heyward: FR (Navy)
Hines: INT (Illi, Wisc/TD)
Homan: INT (USC, NMS, PSU, Iowa); FF (Wisc); FR (Tol)
Rolle: PAT INT (Navy); INT (Illi); FR (NMS/TD)
Russell: INT (Ind, Iowa/2), FR (Ind, Minn)
Simon: FF (Minn)
Spitler: INT (Minn)
Sweat: INT (Tol); FF (Ind)
Torrence: INT (Pur); FF (Ind)
Williams: FF (NMS)
Wilson: INT (Illi)
Worthington: FR (Navy)

THE SILVER BULLET DEFENSE
Ohio State’s defensive squads have held opponents to fewer than 21 points 48 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. The Buckeyes are 45-3 in those games. Ohio State’s defense has allowed fewer than 10 points 25 times since the start of the 2006 season.

Ohio State ranks among the NCAA Top 10 in five categories in 2009: rushing defense (4th), total defense (5th), scoring defense (6th), turnover margin (7th) and pass efficiency defense (8th). Ohio State ranks 16th among the NCAA leaders in pass defense.

The back-to-back shutouts of Toledo and Illinois were the first time since 1996 that the Buckeye defense recorded consecutive shutouts. In 1996, Ohio State whitewashed Minnesota (45-0 at home) and Illinois (48-0 at Illinois) in November of that season.

The last time Ohio State had three shutouts in a season was 1996, against Pitt (72-0), Minnesota (45-0) and Illinois (48-0). The 1973 and 1977 Ohio State squads each recorded four shutouts, a season record since WWII.

The Buckeye defense had a nine-quarter scoreless streak stopped at Indiana; the Buckeyes have allowed only 10 touchdowns over the past 39 quarters.

The 38-0 shutout of Toledo (which had averaged 42.5 points in its first two games) was the first by the Buckeyes since a 43-0 shutout of Youngstown State in the 2008 season opener and the fourth shutout of the Tressel era. The Buckeyes held the Rockets to just 210 total yards, only 13 of those on the ground.

Against the USC Trojans, Ohio State’s defense did not allow a first down until the 13:15 mark of the second quarter and held the Trojans to only 5 yards of total offense on their first three possessions. The previous week, USC totaled 620 yards of total offense against San Jose State.

THE RUN STOPPERS Ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense, the Buckeyes are giving up just 83.7 yards per game on the ground this season, allowing just 2.7 yards per rush. OSU’s opponents have scored only six rushing touchdowns in 11 games.

During a three-game span, Ohio State allowed just 13, 82 and 18 yards rushing vs. Toledo, Illinois and Indiana, an average of only 37.6 yards/game.

It has been 21 games since the Buckeye defense allowed a 100-yard individual rushing performance; that was by USC’s Joe McKnight, who gained 105 yards on 12 carries in the 2008 meeting. That streak is second-longest in the nation, trailing only Alabama (30 games).

Since the beginning of the 2005 season, the Buckeyes have allowed only seven 100-yard rushers during a span of 63 games. That mark is the best record by an FBS school during that time period.

Big Ten Rankings (Big Ten games only) Rank Category
1st Scoring Defense (13.0)
1st Total Defense (273.4)
1st Opp. 3rd Down Conversion % (30.1)
T-1st Sacks (21)
2nd Pass Efficiency Defense (98.6)
2nd Rushing Defense (80.6)
2nd Opponent First Downs (113)
4th Pass Defense (192.9)


NCAA Rankings Rank Category
4th Rushing Defense (83.73)
6th Scoring Defense (12.36)
5th Total Defense (258.27)
8th Pass Efficiency Defense (97.19)
16th Pass Defense (174.55)
32nd Sacks (2.55)


Fewest 100-yd rushers allowed (FBS Teams Since 2005) 1. Ohio State 7
2. Boston College 8
2. Alabama 8
4. Boise State 10
4. Florida 10
4. Penn State 10


Teams That Have Not Allowed a 100-Yard Rusher in 2009
Alabama
Arkansas State
Duke
Nevada
Ohio State
Oklahoma State
Penn State
Texas

Number of Games Allowing Fewer than 21 Points (FBS Teams Since 2005) Team No. Record
1. Ohio State 48 45-3
2. TCU 46 43-3
3. Virginia Tech 45 42-3
3. Florida 45 44-1
5. Penn State 44 41-3


THREE AND OUT
The Ohio State defense is averaging 5.7 three-and-outs per contest this season, second in the nation in that statistic. Ohio State forced New Mexico State to go three-and-out 12 times in that 45-0 shutout. The Buckeyes forced both Toledo and Indiana to go three-and-out seven times, and Penn State eight times. OSU recorded five three-and-outs against both Southern Cal and Illinois; four against Navy, Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin; and three against Iowa. Ohio State has 63 total three-and-outs for the 2009 campaign.

Avg. per gm Totals #/gms
Clemson 5.8 58/10
Ohio State 5.72 63/11
Texas 5.70 57/10
TCU 5.70 57/10
Ole Miss 5.6 45/8
Florida 5.5 55/10
Alabama 5.1 41/8
Tennessee 5.0 40/8


FEWEST POINTS
Ohio State has allowed 136 points through 11 games this season, an average of 12.3 per game. The record for the fewest points allowed in a season in the Tressel era is 166, both in 2006 and 2007.

COLEMAN LOTT TROPHY QUARTER-FINALIST, WUERFFEL NOMINEE
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the 20 quarter-finalists for the annual Lott Trophy, among them Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman.

A three-year starter, the senior shows 60 tackles in 10 games this season. He has forced three fumbles in 2009, recovering one, and has three interceptions, including an 89-yard return for a touchdown against Wisconsin (the fifth-longest such play in OSU history). His totals against Minnesota put him above the 200-tackle mark for his career; he now shows 211 career stops.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

There are eight defensive backs on the quarter-finalist list; six linebackers and six defensive linemen. The Big 12 has six players on the list, the SEC five, the Pac-10 four, the Big Ten three and one each from the Mountain West and WAC.

The finalists will be announced Nov. 24. Those four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach, Ca. for the annual black-tie banquet that will be televised by FOX Sports West.

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.

Coleman, with a tremendous record of community service, is also among the nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy. Named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service, with academic and athletic achievement.

100/200
Only three times in Ohio State history has a Buckeye quarterback rushed for 100 yards and passed for 200 yards or more in the same game, a feat achieved twice by sophomore Terrelle Pryor already this season. The three times it has happened at OSU:

145 rush/241 pass: T. Smith vs. Michigan (2004)
110 rush/262 pass: T. Pryor vs. Toledo (2009)
104 rush/239 pass: T. Pryor vs. Minnesota (2009)

TOTAL OFFENSE
Completing his sophomore season, Terrelle Pryor has eclipsed 4,000 total offense yards for his career. He is now in 12th place on Ohio State’s all-time list with 4,329 yards, passing Rex Kern (4,158); next on the list are Cornelius Greene (4,414) and Craig Krenzel (5,097).

Pryor totaled 343 yards of total offense in the win over Minnesota, rushing for 104 yards (his third career 100-yard rushing game) with a 15-yard TD run and passing for 239 yards with scoring strikes of 62 and 57 yards to DeVier Posey against the Gophers. That was the ninth-best single game in OSU history.

Pryor’s 372 yards of total offense against Toledo marked a career high for the sophomore signalcaller, and the best total offense game of his career. His previous high was 232 against Penn State last season. The Toledo win was the first time an Ohio State player had 300+ yards of total offense since Troy Smith had 328 against Michigan in 2006. Pryor’s performance was the fifth best total offense game in OSU history.

412 - Art Schlichter (Florida State, 1981)
408 - Troy Smith (Notre Dame, 2005)
388 - Joe Germaine (Penn State, 1997)
386 - Troy Smith (Michigan, 2004)
372 - Terrelle Pryor (Toledo, 2009)

Against the Rockets, Pryor recorded career highs with 17 completions, 27 attempts and 262 yards. He also rushed 12 times for 110 yards, including a career-long 43-yarder in the third quarter.

Pryor’s 200-Yard Total Offense Games Tot (Run/Pass) Opp
372 (110/262) vs. Toledo, 2009
343 (104/239) Minnesota, 2009
255 (34/221) @ Purdue, 2009
232 (6/226) Penn State, 2008
230 (33/197) @ Northwestern, 2008
222 (63/159) @ Indiana, 2009
218 (83/135) New Mexico State, 2009
213 (36/177) USC, 2009
205 (66/139) Troy, 2008
204 (30/174) Navy, 2009


POSEY AND SANZENBACHER
Ohio State’s top targets in 2009 have been sophomore DeVier Posey and junior Dane Sanzenbacher, with 1,184 yards and 13 touchdowns between them through 11 games. And the two even connected on a 39-yard touchdown pass from DeVier to Dane off a reverse against New Mexico State.

Posey, who shows 47 receptions for 689 yards this year, has scored seven times this season; his long gains were 62-yard TDs against Minnesota and Penn State. Posey’s scoring plays have averaged 37.8 yards per TD catch.

Sanzenbacher, with 26 receptions for 495 yards, is averaging 19 yards per reception this season. His long gain was a 76-yard touchdown from Terrelle Pryor in the win over Toledo.

PRYOR ON THE RUN
Sophomore Terrelle Pryor has surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his career, just the fifth Buckeye quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 career yards. He has totaled 1,264 yards on the ground in 24 games, and is averaging 4.82 yards per career carry. Pryor has scored 13 rushing touchdowns at Ohio State.

Cornelius Greene 2,066 from 1972-75
Rex Kern 1,714 from 1968-70
Art Schlichter 1,303 from 1978-81
Terrelle Pryor 1,264 from 2008-present
Troy Smith 1,168 from 2003-06


An Ohio State quarterback has rushed for 100 or more yards in a game 26 times in school history. Pryor’s 104-yard effort against Minnesota was the third 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Only Cornelius Greene, Rex Kern and John Mummey had four career 100-yard rushing games among all-time Ohio State quarterbacks.

Top 10 Rushing Yards for Ohio State Quarterback in a Game Yards Player Opp/Year
146 Cornelius Greene Wisconsin, 1974
145 Troy Smith Michigan, 2004
139 Rex Kern Washington, 1969
129 Rex Kern Stanford (Rose Bowl), 1971
129 Tom Matte Illinois, 1960
127 Troy Smith Iowa, 2005
127 Cornelius Green Illinois, 1974
124 Ron Maciejowski Wisconsin, 1968
121 Rex Kern Northwestern, 1968
120 Cornelius Greene UCLA, 1975


100-YARD RUSHERS
The Buckeyes have totaled seven team rushing performances for at least 200 yards this season. They had seven in 2008, the most under Jim Tressel. The last time that had previously occurred was in 1996.

Four players – Dan Herron, Terrelle Pryor, Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall – have been the Buckeyes’ leading ground gainer in at least one contest this season.

Pryor (110/Toledo and 104/Minnesota) and Saine (113/Indiana and 103/Iowa) have each had a pair of 100+ efforts on the ground during 2009.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
This season in the first quarter, the Buckeyes have outscored the opposition 65-20. In the second quarter, the Buckeyes are ahead 102-33, and Ohio State holds an 83-31 advantage in third-quarter scoring. Ohio State has outscored its 2009 opponents 77-52 in fourth-quarter play.

Ohio State has held the opposition scoreless in 25 quarters this year (56.8%).

The Buckeyes are outscoring opponents by 17.6 points per game (30.0-12.4) this season.

OHIO STATE CAPTAINS
Seniors Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington were elected as 2009 captains of the Ohio State football team. An offensive game captain will be selected each week.

Jim Cordle served as captain against Navy, Purdue and Iowa; Jake Ballard was the fourth captain for the USC and Wisconsin contests. Bryant Browning was offensive captain for Toledo, and Dane Sanzenbacher was captain for Illinois and Penn State. Brandon Saine and Dexter Larimore served as game captains at Indiana. Aaron Pettrey was a captain for the Minnesota contest. Andrew Moses served as captain versus New Mexico State.

The last time Ohio State had only defensive players as permanent captains was in 2002, when Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey were captains of the national championship squad.

DOWN THE STRETCH
During the Jim Tressel era, the Buckeyes are 80-6 (.930) when winning or tied at the half. Ohio State is 85-6 (.934) when winning or tied going into the fourth quarter of a game under Tressel.

W/T at Half W/T into 4th
2001 6-2 7-3
2002 9-0 11-0
2003 10-0 10-0
2004 8-0 8-0
2005 9-1 8-1
2006 11-0 12-0
2007 10-0 11-0
2008 8-2 9-1
2009 9-1 9-1
Total 80-6 85-6


BUCKS WIN 77 PERCENT OF OHIO STADIUM GAMES
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 391-107-20 (.774) in Ohio Stadium since that facility opened in 1922.

The crowd of 106,033 against Southern California was the largest ever to watch a game at Ohio Stadium, besting last year’s crowd of 105,711 against Penn State. The attendance of 105,092 against Navy was an opening day record for Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State has hosted 55 consecutive crowds of 100,000 or larger at Ohio Stadium; three of this year’s crowds ranked among the top 15 all-time. Ohio State’s all-time record in Columbus is 534-154-35 in 722 games.

FOR STARTERS
When the Ohio State-Michigan game kicks off, the Buckeyes will have a total of 38 players with at least one game of starting experience.

Those are: Anderson Russell (36); Kurt Coleman (34); Doug Worthington (33); Jim Cordle, Cameron Heyward (31); Bryant Browning, Chimdi Chekwa (25); Jake Ballard, Mike Brewster, Thaddeus Gibson, Terrelle Pryor (21); Ross Homan (17); Jermale Hines (14); Todd Denlinger, Dane Sanzenbacher (13); Dane Sanzenbacher (12); Justin Boren (11); Brian Rolle, DeVier Posey (10); Austin Spitler, Lawrence Wilson, Devon Torrence (9); Dexter Larimore, Zach Boren, J.B. Shugarts, Brandon Saine (8); Dan Herron, Ray Small (7); Rob Rose (5); Mike Adams (4); Andrew Miller (3); Andre Amos, Tyler Moeller, Jake Stoneburner (2); Aaron Gant, Duron Carter, Nathan Williams, Marcus Hall (1).

Getting their first Ohio State start against Navy were six players: Andre Amos, Justin Boren, Zach Boren, Andrew Miller, DeVier Posey and Brian Rolle. Jake Stoneburner made his first start against USC. Devon Torrence, Duron Carter and J.B. Shugarts were first time starters vs. Toledo. Mike Adams was a first-time starter against Illinois, and Nathan Williams made his first start vs. New Mexico State. Marcus Hall got his first start in the Iowa game.

The Boren brothers – Justin (OG) and Zach (FB) - products of Pickerington, Ohio, are the first siblings to start in the same game for the Buckeyes since John (LB) and Mike (NG) Sullivan from Mentor, Ohio, started nine games together during the 1988 season.

IN NOVEMBER
The Buckeyes boast an all-time record of 286-132-19 in November games. Ohio State is 180-78-11 in November home games and 106-54-8 on the road that month.

Eleven members of the Buckeye roster have birthdays this month: Bo DeLande, Scott Sika, Jermale Hines, Etienne Sabino, Andrew Miller, Brian Rolle, Grant Schwartz, Don Matheney, Rocco Pentello, Travis Howard and Aaron Gant.

AVERAGE PER DOWN
Here’s a breakdown of how the 2009 Ohio State offense is operating on first, second, third and fourth down.

On first down, the Buckeyes have run a total of 308 plays, gaining 1,926 yards for an average of 6.2 yards per play. On second down, OSU has tried 234 plays for 1,231 yards, a 5.3 average. On third down, the Buckeyes have run 151 plays, gaining 1,014 yards for a 6.7 average. Ohio State has tried only seven fourth-down attempts, gaining 14 yards.

Ohio State’s touchdowns this season have come 14 times on first down (nine rushing and five passing TD), 13 times on second down (four passing and nine rushing), seven times on third down (six passes and one rush) and once on a fourth-down pass.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Ten true freshmen have seen action for the Buckeyes in 2009. Seven Ohio State true freshmen made their first collegiate appearance in the opener against Navy: DB C.J. Barnett, FB Zach Boren, WR Duron Carter, TE Reid Fragel, FB Adam Homan, LB Storm Klein and DT John Simon. Tailback Jordan Hall, another true freshman, saw his first action against Toledo, and LB Jonathan Newsome played for the first time against Illinois. OL Marcus Hall played for the first time at Indiana.

BOUNCING BACK
During the Jim Tressel era at Ohio State, in the games following the Buckeyes’ 21 losses, OSU has a 19-2 record. Thirteen of those games were at Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes under Tressel are 12-1 in the game following a loss. Only once during the Tressel era has Ohio State recorded back-to-back losses, a three-game stretch with losses at Northwestern, to Wisconsin and at Iowa in October, 2004.

IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Under Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 25-2 at Ohio Stadium versus non-conference teams, the only loss coming to USC earlier this season and 25-22 to No. 2 Texas in 2005. The Buckeyes are 30-4 overall in regular season non-conference games since 2001.

ON SCHOLARSHIP
Three Ohio State seniors received scholarship aid for the 2009 autumn quarter that began Sept. 23: Marcus Williams, who is in physical therapy school; Andrew Moses, who is working toward a second bachelor’s degree after earning his first in political science; and Jon Thoma, who is completing his degree in communication. Three additional seniors – Ryan Schuck, Joe Gantz and Tom Ingham – will receive scholarship aid for the winter quarter.

THE GRADUATES
Six members of the 2009 Buckeye squad have already earned their bachelor’s degrees: Andrew Moses (political science), Aaron Pettrey (social and behavioral sciences), Anderson Russell (communication), Austin Spitler (communication), Marcus Williams (health sciences), Lawrence Wilson (communication). Nine more members of the team are expected to graduate following the autumn quarter.

ESPN/CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Four members of the Ohio State football squad have been selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA academic all-district team for District 4.

Named to the all-district academic second team were offensive guard Bryant Browning, defensive tackle Todd Denlinger, offensive guard Andrew Moses and running back Marcus Williams. Browning, a junior from Cleveland, Ohio, is a 3.33 marketing student; Moses, from Dublin, Ohio, graduated with a 3.86 gpa in political science. Denlinger, a senior from Troy, Ohio, holds a 3.33 average in construction systems management. Williams, from Ironton, Ohio, has a 3.64 gpa in the physical therapy graduate program.

District 4 includes all colleges in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

HONOR ROLL
In 2008, 27 Buckeyes were named to the Big Ten’s all-academic team; the Buckeyes have led the conference over the past seven years. Additionally, 46 Ohio State football players qualified for the annual OSU Scholar-Athlete Dinner in May, which requires a grade-point average of 3.00 or better for the past academic year.

POTOKAR HONORED BY FWAA
Ohio State’s Dan Potokar is the weekly nominee for the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season. Potokar, from Grove City, Ohio, has battled several rounds with cancer and is currently helping the Buckeyes as a student assistant.

Though a walk-on, Potokar had been impressive as a wide receiver during spring practice in 2007 and was part of the Ohio State track team’s 400-meter relay team. But in the fall of 2007, he became ill and was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and abdomen.

Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the lesions remained on his lungs. Potokar underwent several weeks of intensive treatments in Indianapolis, including two stem-cell transplants. Several months later, five tumors were discovered in Potokar’s brain, necessitating full-brain radiation and something similar to laser surgery.

Last winter, tests indicated the cancer was gone.

Potokar, a student assistant coach, is on track to earn a business degree and is scheduled to be married next May. Potokar has also reached out to other athletes who have been diagnosed with cancer.

For the fourth straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.

2009 FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 23: D.J. Williams, Arkansas
Sept. 30: Mark Herzlich, Boston College
Oct. 7: Darius Nall, UCF
Oct. 14: Ricky Rosas, USC
Oct. 21: Derrick Coleman, UCLA
Oct. 28: Connecticut Huskies
Nov. 4: Antoine “Shaky” Smithson, Utah
Nov. 11: Dan Potokar, Ohio State

CHRIS SPIELMAN TO ENTER COLLEGE FB HALL
Two-time Ohio State All-American linebacker Chris Spielman, the 28th Buckeye inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, was recognized at halftime of the Navy game. The four-year letterwinner (1984-87) and the winner of the 1987 Lombardi Award will be inducted at a ceremony in South Bend, Ind., in the summer of 2010.

Spielman, hailing from Massillon Washington High School, ranks third all-time in tackles (546) at Ohio State and first in solo stops (283). Perhaps the most notable performance by Spielman was his 29-tackle day against Michigan in 1986.

Tenacious and hard-hitting on the field, the linebacker is just as strong away from the field, as is his wife, Stefanie. In 1998, the couple learned that Stefanie had breast cancer. Despite the physical and emotional strain of dealing with such a disease, and the unthinkable worries, the couple has been tireless advocates for cancer research and they have helped to raise millions to fight the disease.

After his playing days in Columbus, Spielman was drafted in the second round by Detroit in 1988 and went on to play for the Lions and Buffalo Bills before finishing up his career with the Cleveland Browns. The 12-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowler then made the move to the broadcast booth where he is a college football analyst for ESPN and co-hosts The Big Show on WBNS radio in Columbus. He and Stefanie are the parents of four children.

OHIO STATE REPRESENTED AT JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Buckeye freshmen Storm Klein (LB, Newark, Ohio) and Jack Mewhort (OL, Toledo, Ohio) spent three weeks this summer as part of USA Football’s Junior National Team in the inaugural IFAF Junior World Championships held in Canton, Ohio. Team USA won the gold medal with wins over France (78-0), Mexico (55-0) and Canada (41-3) in the championship game. Klein (who was also a team captain) and Mewhort were both named to the all-tournament team.

NOT SINCE 1922-24
Ohio State ranks second among all NCAA Div. I programs with 84 consecutive seasons since last posting back-to-back losing records. The Buckeyes have not been under .500 for two or more consecutive seasons since 1922-24, which trails only Tennessee; the Vols have not had back-to-back losing seasons since 1909-11, a span of 97 consecutive seasons.

School Years Last
Tennessee 97 1909-11
Ohio State 84 1922-24
Southern Miss 74 1933-34
Arizona State 61 1946-47
Alabama 51 1854-57


IN NIGHT GAMES
Ohio State is now 6-3 at home (27-13 away from home) in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 33-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 15-10 in night games and 8-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium. Tressel’s teams are 2-3 at home in night games.

WHERE THEY GO NEXT
The Ohio State-Michigan game is the regular-season finale for both teams.


*Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

-Ohio State at Penn State Game Preview-

Ohio State at Penn State Game Preview

Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Two teams, both looking for a signature win, and neither can afford a loss.

No. 15 Ohio State travels to No. 11 Penn State in a showdown that may not determine the Big Ten champion but will almost definitely decide who it won't be.

''We know how important all these games are,'' Buckeyes wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''It's come to a point in a season where we have to win out and we have to play well in November to be a great team.''

Each team has played one ranked opponent this year and lost. The Nittany Lions (8-1, 4-1) fell at home to unbeaten Iowa, 21-10, in their Big Ten opener. Since then, they have won five in a row.

Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) lost to Southern Cal 18-15 way back on Sept. 12. The Buckeyes followed that by winning six of seven games, the lone setback a stunning 26-18 defeat at Purdue.

The Buckeyes follow up the game against Penn State with one at home against Iowa (9-0, 5-0). So they still control their own destiny in their quest to capture a fifth consecutive Big Ten title.

''Maybe fans out there think Ohio State hasn't beaten anybody, a great opponent,'' Buckeyes linebacker Austin Spitler said. ''And neither has Penn State. But we're going to find out Saturday who the best is between Penn State and Ohio State.''

To beat the Nittany Lions, the Buckeyes will have to play perhaps their best game of the season and do it in the most hostile environment.

''There's so much energy and electricity,'' coach Jim Tressel said about the atmosphere in Beaver Stadium. ''It's a fun place to play. There's noise. There's excitement.''

Sometimes, the Nittany Lions faithful might carry that to the extreme. That becomes evident when visiting teams almost have to run a gauntlet down a walkway underneath the stadium to get to the field.

''It's something. They're throwing stuff at you, spitting on you, yelling everything you can think of at you,'' Spitler said, smiling. ''But it doesn't bring you down, it really fires you up and gets you going. I think it's a positive in a way for us.''

The focal point of most of that venom figures to be Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He was heralded as the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit while playing his high school ball in Jeannette, Pa. - about a 65-mile drive from Happy Valley. Pryor narrowed his final choices down to Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State before deciding to be a Buckeye.

Pryor knows he'll be a marked man. He was already talking about it moments after the Buckeyes polished off overmatched New Mexico State 45-0 last Saturday.

''I'll probably get booed as soon as I go out to warm up,'' he said. ''I'm happy here, and we'll be ready to go.''

Tressel said on Tuesday that he didn't feel the need to prepare Pryor for the fans.

''I'm sure he's very aware of that,'' Tressel said. ''I'm sure as we go through the preparation for the week, we'll talk a lot about poise and patience because that's what you have to do. You have to be a poised guy. ... That's what being part of a great environment is all about.''

The visiting team has won the last two games in the heated series.

''The last time they came here (in 2007) it wasn't very fun, because it was a night game and they really put it to us,'' Penn State linebacker Sean Lee said. ''We weren't even able to make their offense punt (in a 37-17 loss). ... But the atmosphere at both stadiums, especially Beaver Stadium, is unbelievable. It's something you dream of as a young kid, and finally as a fifth-year senior, now that I'm healthy, it's going to be great.''

A season-ending knee injury to kicker Aaron Pettrey, the Big Ten's leading scorer, puts a damper on some of the excitement for Ohio State.

Pettrey was blocked on a first-half kickoff last week, tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right (kicking) leg. He was scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.

In his place, the Buckeyes will go with 26-year-old former Major League Soccer player Devin Barclay, a former walk-on who beat out scholarship kicker Ben Buchanan for the No. 2 spot behind Pettrey. Barclay missed two of his three field-goal attempts in his college debut last week after Pettrey went out.

Buchanan, sick last week, is expected to battle him for the job this week.

''We were very comfortable with Aaron from anywhere,'' Tressel said of Pettrey's range. ''These guys aren't quite there.''

Ohio State wins 45-0!

Ohio State won 45-0 Saturday at the Horseshoe vs. New Mexico State. Here are the post game notes.



No. 17/15 Ohio State (7-2) 45, New Mexico State (3-6) 0
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 31, 2009
Attendance: 104,719

OHIO STATE POSTGAME NOTES
• Ohio State is 815-308-53 in its 120th season of play. The win total ranks fifth all-time among FBS schools.
• Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes is 90-21 and his career record is 225-78-2. Tressel's 225 victories rank fourth among active FBS coaches.
• Ohio State is 51-5 at home since the start of the 2002 season and 55-7 overall under Jim Tressel.
• Ohio State boasts a record of 359-126-28 in games played in October.
• The Buckeyes are 429-131-14 all-time as a Top 25 team.
• Jim Tressel is now 78-6 when leading at the half and 83-6 when leading going into the fourth quarter in his Ohio State career.
• The Buckeyes have won 70 games since the start of the 2003 season, the sixth best among FBS schools.
• Ohio State is 53-0 when scoring 30 or more points in the Jim Tressel era (since 2001).

SERIES NOTES
• Saturday was the first meeting between Ohio State and New Mexico State on the football field.
• The Buckeyes are 4-0 all-time against members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC): 2-0 against Fresno State and 1-0 against San Jose State and New Mexico State.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ohio State scored a season-high 45 points, the most since scoring 45 in 2008 at Northwestern.
• The 45-point margin of victory was the largest since defeating Northwestern by 51 in 2007 (58-7).
• Ohio State scored 28 points in the second quarter. The last time the Buckeyes scored 4 TD's in a quarter was Oct. 17, 2007 against Kent State.
• With 83 yards rushing (in the first half only), Terrelle Pryor moved into fourth place on Ohio State's all time rushing list among quarterbacks with 1,185 yards.
- Cornelius Greene (2,066 from 1972-75)
- Rex Kern (1,714 from 1968-70)
- Art Schlichter (1,303 from 1978-81)
- Terrelle Pryor (1,185 from 2008-present)
- Troy Smith (1,168 from 2003-06)
• Terrelle Pryor is 15-3 as Ohio State's starting quarterback (note: Pryor did not start at QB in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl).
• Terrelle Pryor has accounted for 37 of Ohio State's 60 offensive touchdowns (61.6 percent) since becoming the starter in the fourth game of the 2008 season (25 passing, 11 rushing, 1 receiving).
• True freshman Jordan Hall rushed 10 times for a career-high 90 yards, including a career-long 39-yard run in the third quarter.
• Sophomore wide receiver DeVier Posey threw the first TD pass of his career in the second quarter, a 39-yarder to Dane Sanzenbacher. It marked the first time an Ohio State WR threw a TD pass in a game since Ted Ginn Jr. on Oct. 21, 2006 against Indiana - a 38-yarder to Rory Nicol.
• The offensive line did not allow a sack for the second time this season. It previously kept the quarterback safe vs. Illinois.

DEFENSIVE NOTES
• OSU has held opponents to fewer than 21 points 47 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams. Ohio State is 44-3 in those games.
• The Buckeyes have secured three shutouts in 2009 (vs. Toledo, Illinois and New Mexico State), marking the first time since the 1996 season (vs. Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Illinois)
• Ohio State has allowed only seven 100-yard rushers since the start of the 2005 season (61 games). That mark is the best among FBS schools during that span.
• Ohio State has not allowed a 100-yard rusher over its past 19 games, the second-longest streak in the nation. Alabama is first at 27 games.
• Ohio State's defense has allowed just seven touchdowns over its past 31 quarters of play.
• Junior linebacker Ross Homan intercepted his second pass of the season and the third of his career in the second quarter.
• Junior linebacker Brian Rolle recorded his first career touchdown in the third quarter when he recovered a NMSU fumble in the end zone.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Junior kicker Devin Barclay kicked his first career field goal in the third quarter, a 29-yarder at the 7:05 mark.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
• Ohio State's fourth captain was senior offensive lineman Andrew Moses.
• Ohio State's honorary captain was former Buckeye defensive lineman Tim Anderson (2000-03).

Ohio State looses to Purdue...Is this Pryor's fault??

After an ugly battle Ohio State lost to Purdue on Saturday 18-26. It wasn't necessarily a blow-out game. Ohio State still did have a chance in the 4th quarter but when your QB throws 2 interceptions and fumbles the ball two times what are the odds of that? I know I said in a previous post that I was going to try not to bash Terrelle Pryor well...I think he should be treated the same as Boeckman was last season (which would be like dirt). I don't think that I'm even going to waste my time summarizing the game or finding post game notes. We already know what happened Ohio State lost and that’s pretty much all that matters right now. I know I focus on last season maybe a little too much. But the fact that Boeckman got benched after Ohio lost to a #1 ranked team in country and the fact that Purdue wasn't even ranked and Pryor is going to remain the starter! Well that bothers me. I know that people like to pretend that it was all Todd's fault but it wasn't. So I ask myself why isn't Pryor being treated the same way that Boeckman was last year? Tressel has never explicitly said what Pryor provides that Boeckman did not. To quote one of his statements "We probably don't have enough time, nor would I share every little reason or rationale for any personnel decision ... It was just a decision based upon our compilation of data and we felt we needed to go that direction." Tressel also blamed Boeckman for not reading a backside blitz and getting rid of the ball quicker against the Trojans. I wonder what he has to say about that now? For some reason Coach Tressel would stand by Terrelle no matter what. I'll never understand why Coach tressel made the terrible decision that he did. Simply put Pryor is not the QB Jim Tressel or anyone else tried to make him out to be. Coach Tressel made everyone believe that Pryor was this great player with all this talent who never made any mistakes. Which is false. If Pryor wants all this credit and if he wants people to idol him then he better get with it. He should be benched. That's what Tressel did to Boeckman and Terrelle performed worse on Saturday then Boeckman ever did in the short time that he started.





I found those quotes from Tressel in an article on the Morning Journal website here's the link if you would like to read it it's a GREAT article! http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/16/sports/mj129332.txt

Tomorrow...Ohio State vs. USC!

It's finally here! Tomorrow we will have the chance to watch Terrelle Pryor prove himself. This game will say a lot about coach Tressel choice to bench Todd Boeckman. Here's a little history to explain what this game means.

The numbers themselves are staggering ...



-More than 300 all-time First-Team All-Americans

-Almost 150 NFL total First-Round Draft picks

-Close to 60 combined College Football Hall of Famers

-46 total Rose Bowl games

-18 combined recognized national titles

-7 Heisman Trophy winners ... each!

Ohio State and USC. Is there a better combination of talent and history? That's debatable, but come Saturday the only number that matters is 1 ... as in 1 more classic clash!

Here's a look at the series ...

SERIES RECORD Southern California leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes by a 12-9-1 count. The first meeting between the two schools was a 13-12 USC home victory in 1937. The latest meeting at Ohio Stadium came in 1990, a 35-26 USC victory in Columbus. Ohio State's last win was a 42-21 victory in the Rose Bowl following the 1973 season

The winner has averaged 25.3 points per game during the series, with the losing team averaging 8.6, making the average margin of victory 16.7 points. Seven of the previous 22 meetings have been shutouts. Six games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The home team has won nine of the 15 regular season matchups.

Ohio State is 50-24-2 overall against the Pac-10; the Buckeyes have faced every conference school at least twice in football. In regular season games, Ohio State is 44-17-2 against the Pac-10.

The OSU-USC Series:

1937 at USC 13, Ohio State 12
1938 USC 14, at Ohio State 7
1941 Ohio State 33, at USC 0
1942 at Ohio State 28, USC 12
1946 Ohio State 21, at USC 0
1947 USC 32, at Ohio State 0
1948 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1949 Ohio State 13, at USC 13
1954 Ohio State 20, USC 7*
1959 at USC 17, Ohio State 0
1960 at Ohio State 20, USC 0
1963 at USC 32, Ohio State 3
1964 at Ohio State 17, USC 0
1968 Ohio State 27, USC 16*
1972 USC 42, Ohio State 17*
1973 Ohio State 42, USC 21*
1974 USC 18, Ohio State 17*
1979 USC 17, Ohio State 16*
1984 USC 20, Ohio State 17*
1989 at USC 42, Ohio State 3
1990 USC 35, at Ohio State 26
2008 at USC 35, Ohio State 3 *Rose Bowl

Jack Tatum - Saturday's honorary captainDefensive back 1968-70

Jack Tatum was one of the dominant defensive players and most intimidating forces in college football during his career at Ohio State. A three-year starter, a two-time All-American and the national Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was known for his tenacity and fierce style of play. The 6-1, 208-pound Tatum came to Ohio State as a running back, but moved to defense in the spring of his freshman year. He was a mainstay of the defense for the next three seasons as OSU rolled up a 27-2 record and won the 1968 national championship, two Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

USC Coach Pete Carroll Connected with OSU

Pete Carroll, current USC head coach, was an assistant for the Buckeyes in the 1979 season under Earle Bruce. Carroll, who coached the defensive backfield helped guide the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl that season, ironically losing a tight 17-16 decision to USC. Read Carroll's bio from the 1979 season below.

1979 Season Glance

Former Ohio State player and assistant coach Earle Bruce is named head coach. The Buckeyes finish the regular season 11-0 and come within a point of a national championship, falling 17-16 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Bruce is named the Big Ten and national coach of the year in his first season.

Here's a link if you want to read a little more about the players and this game--
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=987019

Paint the Town Scarlet!

Show your buckeye pride!

Paint the Town Scarlet

Fans can get geared up for the Sept. 12 primetime matchup with USC (8 p.m./ESPN) by participating in the week-long lead up promotion "Paint the Town Scarlet." Fans have the opportunity to enter a contest for the best decorated homes or offices (exterior only with flags, lights, etc.) to be selected and displayed during the USC game on the Ohio Stadium south end zone video board.

Also starting Sept. 7, fans can purchase a special Ohio State-USC commemorative game day T-shirt from the Official Team Shop.
Spread Scarlet Statewide

Fans also are encouraged to spread their Scarlet Fever statewide as the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland in Week 3 to play a neutral-site away game against the Toledo Rockets at Browns Stadium Sept. 19 (noon/ESPN Plus).

Scarlet and Gray Fridays/Lose the Blue Week vs. Michigan

Ohio State has a season-long Scarlet & Gray Fridays campaign to promote Ohio State licensed apparel in the workplace, culminating in the annual "Lose the Blue" clothing donation drive for Good Will of Central Ohio. Last year, Ohio State fans donated more than 7,000 pounds of blue clothing during the campaign.

The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Ohio State University Office of Trademark and Licensing Services run the "Lose the Blue" clothing drive annually during the week when the Michigan and Ohio State football teams renew their storied rivalry. In 2007, more than 6,000 pounds of clothing were donated.

Summit your photos--
webmaster@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu

Jaguars Waive Rookie Quarterback Todd Boeckman

From the artical "Jaguars Sign Third-Round Pick Terrance Knighton; Waive Rookie Quarterback Todd Boeckman"


The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to a contract, the seventh of the team’s nine draft picks to sign a contract this year. Knighton was the first of back-to-back third-round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft, the 72nd pick overall. The club also waived rookie quarterback Todd Boeckman from Ohio State.

Leadership training offered by Pinnacle

These last couple of weeks I've been looking around on the internet trying to find a worthy article about Todd to post and I finally found one! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)



Pinnacle Sports and Coaching4Life are teaming up to host the Captains Leadership Training event 6-9 p.m. on July 29 at the Pinnacle Sports facility in Medina

The free motivational and educational program is designed to empower local high school sports captains, coaches of all levels (youth through college) and parents to better lead their teams, student bodies and communities.

The mission of Pinnacle Sports and Coaching4Life is to develop better human beings through athletics. Leadership training for players, coaches and parents is a vital component in youth athletics.

This program is designed to fill the bag of tools for those with influence from those who have experience and success as captains, coaches and parents.

Open to captains of all high school varsity boys and girls sports, the program features leadership messages from high-profile sports figures and breakout sessions for captains, coaches and parents.

The event will showcase the Coaching4Life philosophy of building character in athletes and Pinnacle Sports' mission of intentionally integrating that character into sports and life.

Presenters for the three-hour program include former Cleveland Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano, former Ohio State University captains and NFL players Tom Cousineau and Mike Tomczak and Coaching4Life trainer John Callahan

The program also will include video presentations from Ohio State University football head coach Jim Tressel and former Buckeye standouts Troy Smith, Todd Boeckman, Chris Spielman and Archie Griffin.

"We are excited to host this unique event that will help high school varsity captains better understand the privilege they have in their role as captains and leaders," said Mike Orazen, Coaching4Life president. "Coaches and parents will also benefit by learning how to integrate character into their coaching and parenting. Our approach to training goes far beyond the playing field. We strive to make good character the foundation of our athletes' lives.


"Pinnacle Sports is honored to partner with Coaching4Life in hosting the Captains Leadership Training," said Rich Garbinsky, Pinnacle Sports general manager. "All of our coaches and trainers are trained through the character-building Coaching4Life process, and we have really seen the difference it makes in the lives of young athletes. Character building is the basis for all of our programs."

ATH: With Honor Day 2: James Laurinaitis, Big Ten Medal of Honor Finalist

I just found this on http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/

Watch
Audio Slideshow: Football's James Laurinaitis Spoke to Columbus Youth






A week-long series on Ohio State's Big Ten Medal of Honor finalists continues today with a profile of football linebacker James Laurinaitis. A second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Laurinaitis, who earned his degree in March, was a standout in the classroom, winning the Lowe's Senior Class Award



James Laurinaitis is the most decorated linebacker in Ohio State history. A three-year consensus All-American, he won the 2008 Lowe’s Senior Class Award and the Lott Trophy as college football’s IMPACT Player of the Year which emphasizes integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity in a college defender. He was voted Big Ten defensive player of the year during both his junior and senior campaigns and won the 2006 Nagurski Award as the nation’s best defensive player and the Butkus Award in 2007 as the top linebacker, all major awards and the most ever won by a Buckeye.



Laurinaitis was part of four Big Ten championship teams and four BCS bowls, twice playing in the national title game, setting a BCS record with 18 tackles in the national championship game against LSU. Laurinaitis never missed a game during his Buckeye career. He played in all 51 games during the last four seasons, started all 39 games the last three seasons, led Ohio State in tackles three straight years and finished his career seventh on Ohio State’s career tackle chart with 375, finishing just behind Buckeye greats such as Pepper Johnson, Chris Spielman and A.J. Hawk.



Part of the first Ohio State team to beat Michigan five consecutive years, he passed up the NFL after his junior season to return and complete his degree and collegiate career at Ohio State. A two-time team captain and a March honors graduate in communication, the Hamel, Minnesota, product was drafted by the NFL's St. Louis Rams with the third pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.



The Big Ten Conference Medal of HonorIn 1914 the Conference established a Medal of Honor to be awarded annually at each member institution to a student in the graduating class. An additional award for the top female was instituted in 1982. Chosen by the Athletic Council, the winners of this most prestigious award are the male and female senior student-athletes who have attained the greatest proficiency in both academics and athletics. This honor includes a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship which can be used at an institution of the recipient’s choice.



Ohio State’s men’s and women’s Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients will be announced at the 2009 OSU Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Columbus Convention Center Wednesday, May 20.

Boeckman takes NFL rookie camp one blitz at a time

This article is from Saturday May 2nd. I found it on the DaytonDailyNews.com

~Former Ohio State quarterback Boeckman takes NFL rookie camp one blitz at a time~

CINCINNATI — Todd Boeckman didn’t have time to stop and smell the roses. The Ohio State quarterback from St. Henry High School was too busy adjusting to the terminology and playbook.

“They’re putting plays in left and right and heads are spinning,” he said on the first day of Bengals rookie minicamp. “But it’s fun. There’s always going to be nerves when you first get out there. But once you get in the flow, you feel like you’re more at home.”

Boeckman is sharing snaps with Billy Farris of Colorado State. Neither threw an interception.

“It’s a great indoctrination for them,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. “We’re throwing a lot at them. We’re moving along quickly. It’s very challenging for them, and they’re doing a good job with it.”

Todd Boeckman: On The Road To Cincinnati- It's not over

Just because Todd didn't get drafted doesn't mean his career is over. I was recently doing some web searching trying to find out if any teams signed him or not and I came across this article which I found on Bleacher Report.com.

Here's the link--

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/163617-todd-boeckman-on-the-road-to-cincinnati


*I also read on the Columbus Dispatch that Buffalo might be interested in Todd too.

Todd Boeckman Pro Day Results

Sorry it took me so long to post this artical. The Pro Day took place on Friday, March 13th at Ohio State. Here is some info on how Todd did.


QB Todd Boeckman (6-4 3/4, 240 pounds) ran 40-yard dash times of 4.78 and 4.75 on AstroTurf. He had a 31-inch vertical and a 9-foot, 3-inch broad jump with a 4.39 short shuttle and a 7.08 three-cone drill.


*Also an interview from www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com which you can find at the link below--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGDOpc0dl6s

Boeckman built to endure a pounding

This is an old yet good article.



Boeckman built to endure a pounding


Columbus -- Troy Smith made plays with his legs last year. Todd Boeckman is doing it with his abs.


A year after the 6-0, 215-pound Troy Smith quarterbacked the Buckeyes into the national title game and won the Heisman Trophy with regular displays of spectacular shimmies, creating a highlight reel by turning broken plays into big plays, Boeckman's signature move during a 3-0 start is getting smoked.

While Troy Smith evaded pressure, the 6-5, 243-pound Boeckman absorbs it.

Among his moments to remember entering Game 4 Saturday against Northwestern -- his second completion of the year, a 41-yard deep ball to Brian Ro biskie just before a Youngstown State defensive tackle folded him in half; and a first-down pass to Brian Hartline against Washington last Saturday before taking a blow from a free blitzer who came in untouched.

"Toughness is a big part of being a quarterback," Boeckman said. "You've got to stand there and make those plays and make the guys believe in you."

As the offensive line adjusts to a quarterback they know will stay in his place, the Buckeyes are believing Boeckman, who has completed 45 of 71 passes (63.4 percent) for 574 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, can do the job his way

Despite Jim Tressel's pointed assertion that Boeckman runs a faster 40 time than Troy Smith, Todd is not Troy.

"I'm not the shiftiest person," Boeckman said. "As you probably noticed, it takes a little bit for me to get going. I'm not that guy who's going to shake and do stuff like that."

That is obvious to all, even Tim Boeckman, father and high school coach of the new OSU quarterback.


"Todd's not a runner," Tim Boeckman said. "We know that. But everybody wanted another Troy Smith, and I think that made it difficult going into the season. Troy was. . . . wow. Todd's his own quarterback."


That means using his size as a weapon, or at least as a shield. Boeckman said he remembers his welcome-to-the-position moment, during a scrimmage as a high school freshman when an avalanche of defensive linemen knocked the wind out of him after a screen pass. As he progressed at St. Henry High, his father said his stature allowed him to face down defenders, because so many of them were smaller than he was. Now that the defenders have grown, Boeckman still stands his ground.

"He made that one throw to Hartline after getting popped pretty hard," fullback Dionte Johnson said, "and it showed down the line he'll be able to make good throws and that he's poised and calm back there. But we have to keep the hits off him

Johnson gets angry when his quarterback takes a shot, and he said it's not uncommon for the blocker who let in the tackler to apologize to Boeckman after the film is graded and the error is apparent. Sometimes they offer to buy dinner to make up for it -- though no one has paid up yet.

"Hopefully something is coming here soon," Boeckman said with a laugh.

His best bet is to protect himself with the quarterback workout put together by OSU director of football performance Eric Lichter, who tailors exercise programs for each position.

A key for the quarterbacks is a move, instead of a typical bench press, that involves balancing on their backs on an exercise ball and using two dumbbells in their lift. That works their shoulders separately, and the unsteadiness of the ball forces the quarterbacks to constantly tighten their abdominal muscles to keep from falling off.

With television cameras rolling during an interview this week, Boeckman declined an offer to show off his six-pack

"It's not that good," he said with a smile. "I don't want to embarrass myself."

Lichter proudly mentioned that Ohio State's three scholarship quarterbacks average 239.7 pounds, almost 10 pounds heavier than the average Buckeye linebacker. He said those core muscles in a quarterback's trunk are crucial for getting snap and power on a throw when firmly planted, and also for creating the wall for a charging linebacker to smack in to.

"Todd's got the body for it," Lichter said. "He's almost 245 pounds and he's 14 percent body fat, so it's not like he's heavy. But he's big and strong, and when you're that big, you should stand in there and take hits because you're not just going to do down like a pile of bricks."

Even if he does go down, if the pass gets off and gets caught, that's a tradeoff Boeckman is willing to make. The pass to Hartline against the Huskies set up a field goal that put the Buckeyes up, 3-0. But plays like that are remembered for more than just the score.

"That was a good sign, when they're really coming steaming and no one's blocking them," Tressel said. "He was waiting for the route to break open and he stood tall. Not every guy will do that."

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Two of the stalwarts of the Ohio State offense, seniors Ben Person and Todd Boeckman are both students and fans of the gridiron game. Today, in another of our multi-part series with various members of the Ohio State team, the two share some thoughts on the 2008-09 bowl season.

BCS bowl game match-up you are most interested in watching?

Ben: The championship game and the Rose Bowl.

Todd: The Rose Bowl.

Non-BCS game(s) that have the potential to be fun to watch?

Ben: The other games with Big Ten teams.

Todd: Every game with a Big Ten team.

Entering the bowl season there were two unbeaten BCS teams: Utah and Boise State. Who wins had they been matched?

Ben: Utah.

Todd: Too close to tell.

Oklahoma or Florida?

Ben: Florida.

Todd: It’s going to be a great game. It could go either way.

What moments or plays or personalities stand out from the first two Ohio State vs. Texas games?

Ben: In 2005, how loud the stadium was when it erupted on A.J. Hawk’s interception.

Todd: Those were both exciting games. The atmosphere in both stadiums was unreal.

Is there any Southwestern food that you can’t wait to dig into while in Arizona?

Ben: A Fatburger.

Todd: I will probably stick with the same things I eat at home.

What is the University of Phoenix Stadium like?

Ben: A very interesting place – it’s amazing how they can slide the field out of the stadium. Todd: Big, nice and great to play in.

Catching Up With Todd Boeckman

I found this video today and thought I'd post it. Its from last year but its a good video to watch anyways!

Ohio State in bowl games - Tressel Era (2001-08)

I thought this was kinda interesting. Looks like Ohio State has a winning record, lets hope it stays this way! Now we all have something to brag about to our friends who are always rooting for the "other" team. :)

Jan. 1, 2002 Outback Bowl: South Carolina 31, Ohio State 28

Jan. 3, 2003 Fiesta Bowl (National Championship Game): Ohio State 31, Miami (Fla.) 24 2OT

Jan. 2, 2004 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28

Dec. 29, 2004 Alamo Bowl: Ohio State 33, Oklahoma State 7

Jan. 2, 2006 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20

Jan. 8, 2007 BCS Championships Game: Florida 41, Ohio State 14

Jan. 7, 2008 BCS Championship Game: LSU 38, Ohio State 24

Get Your FREE Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Desktop Wallpaper Now!

Sorry for the lack of post when ever I update my other blog I always forget to update this one too!

So all of us know that Ohio State is going to play in the Fiesta Bowl on January 5th. So that's something to look forward too. But until then how about supporting your team with this free Ohio State Fiesta Bowl desktop wallpaper the information is listed below--


*Click the appropriate sized option below. When the new window opens, right click to save the photo or select the "Set as Background" option.

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I know my last post was titled "This is the game everyone looks forward too" and it is. The sad part is after the game, when you realize that the college football season is winding down. This was a great year! I wish that Boeckman would have got to play more but there's nothing I can do about it...it's over now. Todd might not have got to play as much as I wished he would have. But, Todd has something that a lot of players don't have class. Both on the field and off the field. I hope that he won't just be overlooked like so many players are; but instead he will be remembered as the "classy guy" who never complained even when he was replaced by a freshman after winning the Big Ten and leading his team to the National title game the year before. Todd is everything an athlete should be and more.

Taking 1 for the team

COLUMBUS - If it seemed like he had been around forever, that's because the Ohio football journey of Todd Boeckman spanned a full decade.
It began when he quarterbacked his St. Henry High School team to the Division V state championship game as a freshman back in the fall of 1999. It concluded yesterday with a backup appearance in the fourth quarter of Ohio State's 42-7 pounding of Michigan at Ohio Stadium.
In his swan song at the Horseshoe, Boeckman completed all three of his passes for 64 yards, including an 18-yard TD strike to Brian Hartline with 13:16 remaining to cap Ohio State's fifth straight win over UM.
The play drew a sizable ovation from the crowd of 105,564, a nice sendoff for Boeckman, who received a different response from impatient Buckeye supporters early this season.
"I guess, personally, it felt pretty good to get out there just to get that back," Boeckman said. "To know that you can still go out there and make some things happen. It feels good to have people on your side and wanting to see you succeed and do things well."
Boeckman's ride had its ups and downs. His St. Henry Redskins, for instance, never again qualified for Ohio's prep playoffs after 1999, this despite his career 7,021 passing yards and 64 TDs.
Boeckman enrolled part-time at Ohio State and became what was termed a "gray shirt," participating in preseason practice in August of 2003 in the wake of the Buckeyes' national championship season. He enrolled full-time in January of '04.
Following a red-shirt season in 2004, he backed up Troy Smith and Justin Zwick in 2005, and then was behind Smith during his Heisman Trophy season in 2006. That's when OSU closed the regular season 12-0 and ranked No. 1 before being humbled by Florida in the national championship game.
Last year, Boeckman's term as understudy expired. He took the keys to the Buckeye offense and earned first-team All-Big Ten quarterback honors, guiding OSU to an 11-2 mark and a second straight trip to the BCS title game, a loss to LSU.
Boeckman started his senior season (his sixth year on campus) with the shadow of a prize QB recruit - prep All-America Terrelle Pryor from Pennsylvania. - looming large.
The 6-4, 244-pound Boeckman had completed 191 of 299 passes for 2,379 yards and 25 TDs with 14 interceptions in 2007. But, after struggling in Ohio State's 35-3 loss at USC, he lost his starting job and never got it back.
"What was hard was not being out there with my teammates," Boeckman said. "They were out there celebrating winning games. I'm excited for everybody and excited for this team, and it was kind of tough for me not being out there with them."
The Pryor era began on Sept. 20 when the Buckeyes hosted Troy. Boeckman was relegated to clipboard duty during games, pressed into service helping Pryor learn the offense, and was dubbed by some as the "best backup quarterback in thenation."
"I had to help him because I had to do what's best for this football team," Boeckman said. "Terrelle's a phenomenal athlete. I'm looking forward to see what he can do in the future.
"You can't divide a team or separate a team when something like that happens. I just figured the best thing for me would be to be a team player and do what's best for the team. Terrelle did some great things out there this year, and he's getting better each and every week. I'm excited for him."
Still, it was a bitter pill for Boeckman in his sixth year at OSU.
"When anybody loses their job to somebody else, it's going to be tough," he said. "But that's something you've got to fight through. If this is one of the worst things in my life that happens to me, I'll feel pretty good about myself.
"It's a great honor to be a part of this football team, and it's an even better honor to beat Michigan like this."
As rough as the ride was, the end came on a good note.
"It was very emotional being out there," Boeckman said. "It's been a tough year for me, but it felt pretty good to get out there and throw [for] that touchdown

Booing Boeckman? Shame On You!

I found this a couple days ago and thought it was really good!

Booing Boeckman? Shame on you

By Tom Archdeacon

Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

To all the so-called Ohio State fans who booed Todd Boeckman, you showed yourself to be a classless bunch.

Your actions stained a day which should have been nothing but a celebration of a young talent's debut at the helm of the Buckeyes.

Cheer new quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the highly acclaimed freshman. He deserved it for leading OSU past overmatched Troy 28-10 Saturday, Sept. 20.

But shower Boeckman with scorn?

That's a new low, even among those twisted few at OSU who think it's cool to spit on Michigan fans and torch old furniture and parked cars after big victories.

On a day when he already had to be crushed, Boeckman entered the game for just two plays, threw an incompletion and got treated worse than O.J. Simpson.

I made this point in my "Through the Arch" blog the other day, and the avalanche of response has been heated — once again showing no team in this state stokes passions like the Buckeyes.

This came from someone called Bob: "It doesn't shock me at all that they booed him. OSU fans are some of the most obnoxious, classless, bandwagon jumping, in-your-face-for-no-reason-at-all chumps that ever rooted for any sports team. I don't enjoy seeing OSU lose as much as I enjoy seeing their fans' ginormous egos deflated. The team? Go Bucks. The fans? Go home."


Matt offered the opposite view:

"Classless? No. Not in the least. You can talk all you want about the 'College Kid,' and how you should not 'boo.' That is crap. OSU fans who attended the game paid to sit in the stands, so if they want to boo Boeckman, more power to them. In reality, the college athlete is getting paid to perform, in the form of a scholarship, room, etc. When you play for one of the elite teams in the country, you are expected to perform. ... "


At his weekly press conference Tuesday, coach Jim Tressel called the booing "disappointing."

After the game, Bucks defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson was more pointed: "Hey, we're just kids. We're not professionals. There is no way adults should treat us that way."


I don't agree with the "kids" part — guys this age are fighting in Iraq, working in factories, married and raising kids — but he's right that this was no way to treat Boeckman.


There is not a classier, more loyal and likeable guy on the Bucks roster than the sixth-year player from St. Henry.


When OSU showed interest in him out of high school — but didn't initially offer a scholarship — he passed on other full rides and came to Columbus for a year as a regular student. He then red-shirted a year when the Bucks wanted to position him for their future.


He supported Troy Smith and watched — without saying a negative word — as the Heisman quarterback starred on the field but sometimes misstepped off it.


When Bucks recruiters fell in love with Pryor, Boeckman stoically soldiered on and made a point of taking the Pennsylvania phenom under his wing as soon as he hit campus. And after Saturday's game, Boeckman again was all class when he praised Pryor's play.


Boeckman helped OSU win the Big Ten last season and is 13-3 as a starter. He's already earned his degree, is working on his masters and has never been in trouble while at OSU.


You boo a guy like that?